Crews to race cardboard boats at Adams County regatta

The annual event is set for today at Cross Keys Village

Janet Currens, right, and Nettie Elliott, center, watch as Corey Miller, left, helps carry the ISS Harmony Belle to its starting position before the Cardboard Boat Regatta at Cross Keys Village Brethren Home Community in 2013. While it didn't sink, the Harmony Belle came in last in its heat but was awarded a prize for best looking boat. (File)

Nearly a dozen teams will pack into cardboard water vessels today and race around the pond at Cross Keys Village.

More than 1,000 spectators are expected to line the pond around 1:30 p.m. for the Cardboard Boat Regatta. Admission is free and the event starts with a parade of boats, Cross Keys Communications Director Frank Buhrman said.

Boaters have come disguised as anything from pirates to Mario and Luigi. Boats have ranged from 5- to 20-feet long and most have had enough paint and duct tape to keep the cardboard from soaking, Buhrman said.